Philip Edwards was the first surfer to ride Banzai Pipeline, in Hawaii, back in 1961. Phil, also known as "The Guayule Kid", was born on the 10th June 1938, in Long Beach, California.

Before completing 10 year of age, Phil Edwards was already feeling the attractionof water, ocean and waves. In those days, California was the Mecca of international surfing. The US West Coast had everything for everyone. Waves of all types, a vivid surf culture and an emerging surf industry.

In Dana Point, California, surfers tried to impress spectators with serious wave riding stunts at the famous surf break of Killer Dana, a spot for experienced watermen. Killer Dana was "the" surf spot where you might became the most influential surfer of all time, in a matter of day.

In 1953, Phil Edwards was ready to challenge Killer Dana. As soon as he catches and completes the first wave, something had changed forever in the sport of surfing. Phil was 15 years old and he had just cut back a wave.

"This was Phil Edwards' first attack on Killer Dana. Jim 'Burrhead' Drever took Edwards out with him and kept an eye on him. As the story goes, they took off on a wave together. Burrhead yelled, 'Head for the green!' when Edwards cut back toward the curl", explains Nat Young.